Updated October 2026
Manzanar National Historic Site Weather by Month
Manzanar National Historic Site is warmest in July, when the nearest NOAA climate station averages a high of 102°F and a low of 67°F, and coldest in December, with an average high of 57°F and an average low of 29°F. January is the wettest month, with about 1.4 inches of precipitation.
These figures are NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals, the 30-year average for each calendar month, from the nearest long-record weather station, 5.7 miles from the park's reference point. A single station cannot describe a whole park: temperatures elsewhere in Manzanar National Historic Site can differ from these, particularly with elevation.
Warmest month
Jul
102°F avg high
Coldest month
Dec
29°F avg low
Wettest month
Jan
1.4 in avg
Longest days
Jun
14.5 h of daylight
Average weather at Manzanar by month
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Precipitation | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 58°F | 30°F | 1.4 in | 9.7 h |
| February | 61°F | 33°F | 0.9 in | 10.6 h |
| March | 69°F | 39°F | 0.7 in | 11.7 h |
| April | 76°F | 44°F | 0.2 in | 12.9 h |
| May | 85°F | 53°F | 0.1 in | 14.0 h |
| June | 96°F | 62°F | 0.1 in | 14.5 h |
| July | 102°F | 67°F | 0.1 in | 14.3 h |
| August | 101°F | 65°F | 0.2 in | 13.4 h |
| September | 93°F | 58°F | 0.1 in | 12.2 h |
| October | 81°F | 48°F | 0.2 in | 11.0 h |
| November | 67°F | 36°F | 0.5 in | 10.0 h |
| December | 57°F | 29°F | 0.9 in | 9.5 h |
| Year total | 5.4 in |
NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals from station USC00044232, 5.7 miles from the park's reference point. Daylight is the monthly average, computed from the park's latitude. Each month links to how crowded Manzanar is at that time of year.
Manzanar weather by season
Winter: December to February
Average highs climb from 57°F in December to 61°F in February, with average lows between 29°F and 33°F. The average low is at or below freezing in December and January. Together the three months average 3.2 inches of precipitation, about 59% of the yearly total and more than in any other season. Daylight is at its shortest, about 9.5 hours in December.
Spring: March to May
Average highs climb from 69°F in March to 85°F in May, with average lows between 39°F and 53°F. Together the three months average 1 inch of precipitation, about 19% of the yearly total. Daylight lengthens from about 11.7 hours in March to 14.0 in May.
Summer: June to August
Average highs peak at 102°F in July, between 96°F in June and 101°F in August, with average lows between 62°F and 67°F. The average high is 100°F or hotter in July and August. Together the three months average 0.4 inches of precipitation, about 7% of the yearly total and less than in any other season. Daylight is at its longest, about 14.5 hours in June.
Fall: September to November
Average highs fall from 93°F in September to 67°F in November, with average lows between 36°F and 58°F. The average high is 90°F or hotter in September. Together the three months average 0.8 inches of precipitation, about 15% of the yearly total. Daylight shortens from about 12.2 hours in September to 10.0 in November.
What the National Park Service says about the weather
Manzanar is located in the Owens Valley at 4,000' elevation, at the eastern base of the Sierra Nevada. We get little precipitation but we do have four distinct seasons. Summer temperatures can soar over 100 degrees. Winter highs are usually in the 40's. Nighttime temperatures year round are 30 to 40 degrees less than daytime highs. High winds are common in any season.
Weather description courtesy of the National Park Service — official park site.
Today's forecast for Manzanar
Averages describe a typical month, not this week. For current conditions and the seven-day outlook, the National Weather Service issues a forecast for the park's reference point at 36.73°N, 118.15°W. It covers that one spot, so other elevations in the park can differ from it, as they do from the averages above.
National Weather Service forecast for Manzanar National Historic Site →
Weather and crowds together
July is both the warmest month and the busiest, with about 1.4× the visitors of the park's average month. January is the quietest. To see those crowds set against the weather for all twelve months, read the best time to visit Manzanar National Historic Site. For hotels, cabins and rentals close to the park, see where to stay near Manzanar.
Where to stay near Manzanar
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Frequently Asked Questions
July is the warmest month at Manzanar National Historic Site, with an average high of 102°F and an average low of 67°F. That is the 1991–2020 average at the nearest long-record NOAA station, 5.7 miles from the park's reference point. Temperatures inside the park can differ, particularly with elevation.
December is the coldest month at Manzanar National Historic Site, with an average low of 29°F and an average high of 57°F, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals.
January is the wettest month, with about 1.4 inches of precipitation. May, June, July and September are the driest, at about 0.1 inches each. The station records about 5.4 inches of precipitation in an average year.
Daylight at Manzanar National Historic Site runs from about 9.5 hours a day in December to about 14.5 hours in June, computed from the park's latitude.
Weather at nearby parks
Keep exploring
Sources: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (station USC00044232), daylight computed from latitude, weather description from the National Park Service, crowd levels from National Park Service Visitor Use Statistics (2000–2025). Updated 2026-10-11. Lodging results are provided by Stay22; WhenToVisitParks may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.